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Quality Engineering

Marla Parker
Affiliation:
SunSoft
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Summary

I've always loved reading mystery stories, and my job involves solving problems, just like they do in the stories. I look at all of the things that might be causing the problem, and design experiments to find out what the main causes are, so a solution can be found. Sometimes those solutions are “people processes,” or changes to the way something is manufactured. To help find the solutions, I use mathematics and logic tools such as cause-and-effect diagrams, histograms, averages, storyboarding, and many other techniques. I work with people and computers, doing a lot of research to find the answers. When I solve a difficult problem, I feel a great sense of satisfaction—and pure joy.

In high school, I didn't know what I wanted to do, so I tried to take classes that would prepare me for various careers. Taking three years of mathematics gave me more options when I went to college. At Saginaw Valley State University, I earned a BS in Mathematics and an MBA. Then I taught for 12 years in elementary and high schools, before I started working for Delta College as a quality engineer in both the manufacturing and service industries. Now I'm an educator/trainer for Corporate Services, meeting the needs of the surrounding businesses. Recently, I've been on loan to Saginaw Division, General Motors Corp. as a consulting Quality Engineer, Quality Auditor, and Quality Assurance trainer.

Type
Chapter
Information
She Does Math!
Real-Life Problems from Women on the Job
, pp. 52 - 55
Publisher: Mathematical Association of America
Print publication year: 1995

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